John O'Brien (b. 1850 in Kentucky) came to Newlon, Montana in 1880 where he opened a mercantile establishment and engaged in farming and stock raising. In 1881 he maried Ellen Kennedy who herself had come to Montana in the spring of 1880. The couple had three children at their Newlon residence: George T. "Ted" (born 1884), James Deere (born 1885), Frances Mary (born 1889, died 1892 of scarletina). Newlon was the first settlement in Dawson County. In 1884 John purchased the bar and store, which he rebuilt in 1897. It burned in 1911, but he ran it until 1913. This served as a stage stop which was accessed for many years by multiple lines includign the Robert Kelly Line, the Joe Sparks Stage Line; the United States mail; the John Decker proprietor; Nelson & Henry Stage Line; Yellowsone Stage Company; Henry Nelson Stage Line; and the A.F. Nohle Stage. John passed away in 1915.

Ellen O'Brien (nee Kennedy b. 1846 in Pennsylvania) came to the Dakota Territory at Fort Buford in 1880 and came with her husband, John to Newlan in 1881. She worked as postmistress from 1887 to 1892. Ellen passed away in 1904.

George T. "Ted" O'Brien was appointed deputy sheriff in 1909 and was later elected the third sheriff of Richland County in 1922, an office he held for 13 years.